"If the picture of the person using the badge does not match that on our records, we will take the vehicle away and the owner will be forced to pay a release fee to get it back."

Offenders may also face magistrates court action, and if a blue badge holder is found to be lending their badge out to friends or family, they may have the privilege withdrawn. Parking chiefs said they were aware that the owner of the vehicle may not be the offender, but added it would be their responsibility to pay the release fee if their car was used illegally.

Officers from Rotherham Council visited Birmingham to see a similar scheme in action, which involves dedicated officers watching people who use blue badges to identify misuse.

Birmingham Council currently tow away about 10 cars a day, and Mr Beard said official figures showed that they had only towed two vehicles in error in a 12 month period.

He added: "Obviously, if a car is towed away and it subsequently turns out that the badge was being used legitimately then the fee will be waived and we will apologise.

"But we are hoping that in general this will be seen as a good news story – we are taking action against those who are causing real problems for disabled people."

If the scheme is approved by councillors at a meeting next Monday officer training will begin and enforcement action will start later in the year.